Carpet stretcher and the like



Nov. 24, '1925. 1.562.665

W. S. THOM AS CARFET STRETCHER AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 2;" 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QL/gaf@ .27?07 'as Nov. 2.4, 1925. 1,562,665

w..s. THoMAS CARPET STRETCHER AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 2, 1924 2 Sheets-Shout 2 ,ff/(L9 `idatented Nov. 24, i925.

tJNl'l STATESY PATENT OFFICE.

WNGATE S. THOMAS. OF CHICAGO, ILLNOIS, ASSIGNOR T KNAPP BROTHERS MANU- FACTURING Cll/IANY, F CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CARPET Application filed September To all wiwi-ii it may coi/www:

Be it known that l, lVINciifrn S. THOMAS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago. in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Carpet Stretchers and the like7 of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvel ments in carpet stretchers and the like. The

invention has to do with an improved car- V pet stretcher for use in stretching the carpets as they are laid on the iioors. v

One object of the invention is to provide a device of Such construction that the engagement with the carpet is made by the use of a. number of pointed pins, so that the fabric of the carpet will be taken hold of at a suiicieut number of points to give a well distributed strain on the Carpet.

it. further object of the invention is to provide a device of such construction that the aforesaid pins can be easily inserted or removed from the head member. make it possible to substitute other pins of different sizes and lengths.

In connection with the above, a further object is to make provision for so adjust- .ing the device as to allow only the desired amount of projection of the pins beyond the head. The amount of this projection can7 therefore, be adjusted to meet varying conditions and requirements such as the depth of 'the pile of the carpet, the thickness of the carpet, ete.

A further object in connection with the foregoing is to provide a construction such that some of the pins may be given a greater amount of projection than the others. For example, those pins closest to the base board can be set closer in than the pins which are more removed from the base board. This will make it possible to secure a more even distribution of the strain on the carpet when it is considered that ordinarily the carpet LIX stretcher is tilted a certain amount with respect to the floor level when it is being used. it further object of the invention is to provide a construction suoli that all of the pins will be very effectively clamped in place by a single clamping device, and also such that the clamping` action will be equalied on all of the pins without special adjustment by the operator.

STRETCHER AND This will y THE LIKE.

e, leas. serial No. 735,251.

A further object is to provide a body block of sectional form which can be very cheaply manufactured from uniform parts of simple construction and shape.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction an-d combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a bottom face view of a device embodying the features of the present invention, the pins being removed therefrom;

Fig. 2 shows an edge view corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows an end view corresponding to Fig. 1, but with one of the end plates cut away, lt may also be considered as a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking iu the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective View of one of the spacing blocks looking towards the opposite face to that shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary face View of a number of consecutive spacer blocks with the pins set into place"`between them;

Fig. 6 shows an end view of a modified form of construction; and

Fig. 7 shows atop plan view corresponding to Fig. 6, but with a portion of the top plate broken away so as to show the top face of the' center block.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the construction therein illustrated includes ai head block 8 preferably having a sidewise In'ojecting handle socket 9 reaching outwardly at right angles from its top central portion. A. suitable bar or stick can be set into this socket so as to assist in manipulating the device.

A number of spacer blocks 10 may be set into place against and rigidly connected with respect to the bottom face of the head block 8. Each of these blocks 10 is preferably of trapezoid form, as shown in Figs.

8 and 4, having its opposite ends beveled,y as shown at 11 and 12. The side faces 13 and 14 of these blocks are preferably flat and parallel, and the top an-d bottom faces 15 and 16 are also flat. and parallel. Certain of the side faces are grooved as will be presently explained.

Along one bottom edge the head block Cri `of the various spacer blocks 10.

S is provided with an undercut lip 17 which receives the edges of the various spacer blocks at that side. A clamping plate 1S is swivelly mounted along the other bottom edge of the head block, vFor this purpose the head block is preferably provided with a projecting shoulder 19 against which rests the edge of the plate 1 8, and a plural-ity of tension screws 20 are provided for drawing the plate 2() towards the head block 8. In so doing, the free edge of the plate 18 is clr'iniped firmly against the beveled edges Thus all of said spacer blocks are effectively wedged between the plate 18 and the undercut lip 17.

End plates 21 and 22 are provided at the ends of the head vblock S. One of these is preferably removable with respect 'to the head block, so that the various spacci' vblocks can be readily inserted or removed at that end. Preferably alsothis yremovable end plate 22 isprovided with a pair of clamping screws 23 and 211 which when tightened up, bear directly against the end spacer block and thus force all 0f the spacer blocks firmly together.

Such forcing action should be performed when the screws 2() are slightly loosened so as to allow the spacer blocls to readily adjust themselves,V after which the screws 2O niay be tightened up to complete Vthe Veffective locking of Ythe spacer bloei-1s.

Suitable pins V25, are set between the various spacer' blocks, said pins being given the proper amount of projection to insure a satisfactory functioning of the device in service. In order to correctly space thepins and direct them at the proper angle, it is preferred that the spacer blocks be 'grooved on their adjoining faces, as shown at 26. These grooves are preferably formed at an angle of approximately 1150 with respect to the top and bottoni faces of the blocks so as to give the pins a corresponding slant.

The pins may be set into whatever grooves are selected, but ordinarily two pins will be registered in the outside grooves between one pair of blocks, one pin will be registered in the center groove between the next pair of blocks, two p ins will be registered in the outside grooves between the next pair of blocks, and so on, so that when the blocks are forced together by the end sci ews 23. and 24- they can tilt the necessary amount to insure an even gripping of all of the pins. In this way, something resembling a three point suspension is vprovided for properly balancing the pressures on all of the pins. This arrangementof setting the pins in place is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. wherein the pins appear in perspective.

IWhen the blocks and pins are set into placeV and before the parts are rigidly clamped together, the inner or base ends of the pins should be brought to a ysolid bearing Lacasse against the head block 8 or a suitable adjusting plate. In this way, the amount of projection of the pins is perfectly established.

The amount of projection of the pins will depend upon their individual lengths together with the points at which they come to bearing against the head block. lVhen pins of uniform length are used they will all project an equal distance unless the bearing surface of the head block is uneven. I prefer to provide a longitudinal recess 27 in -the bottom face of the head block S against which the base portions of all of the pins will ordinarily come to bearing. In case itis desired that some of the pins should project farther than others, a suitable a'djusting plate 2S may be set into this grooved port-ion 27 so as to prevent such particular pins from setting all "the way in. `Such a condition is illust-rated in Fig. 3. Ordinarily, such adjusting plate 28, when used, will be placed beneath the rows of pins farthest removed from the front edge of the device, so that the most forwardly pins will have the least amount of projection. This, however, is optional with the user, and other arrangements and uses may be adopted.

The pins may be of any suitable shape 'and construction, but ordinary gramophone pins for gramophone reproduction will be found very desirable and satisfactory.

VIn the modified construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, there is provided a center block 29 preferably of wood or liber. The same is provided with 'through 'perforations 3() for the pins 31, said perforations lying atfan angle of substantially to the vfaces of the block. rIfhe head block 32 is provided with a socketed portion 83 for' the handle, and the block 29 is set squarely against the head block.

YA clamping coverplate Si is set against; the bottom face of the block 20. This plate f'l-l is provided with perfor-ations which will align with the perfoi-ations of the block 29 so as to allow for the projection of the pins. Suitable screws 35, or other clamping devices,lare provided for drawing the paris rigidly together.

lVhen the pins have all been set squarely against the bottom face of the head block 32, the parts may be drawn together `and then the pins will be clamped by reason of the tendency of the plate 34, to slip slightly with respect to the block 2.9, and thus exerta clamping action on the pins. This clamping action will be enhanced by reason of the fact that the block 29 is of wood or other slightly yieldable material.

lVhile I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of the features of my present in'ventioizi, still I do not limit myself' to the same, except as I may do so in the claims.

l claim:

l. it device of the class describedcomprising in combination a body member having a transverse recess in its bottom face, a downwardly reaching undercut lip on its lowerI front edge parallel to the recess aforesaid, a downwardly depending` shoulder on its lower rear edge parallel to the recessv aforesaid, a series of trapezoidal spacer blocks having their broad edges facing upwards and seated against the lower face of the body member with their outer upper corners registered into the undercut lip aforesaid, a locking plate having its rear edge seated against the downwardly 'depending shoulder aforesaid and its front edge in engagement vwi `h the rear beveled edges of the spacci' blocks, means for drawing the locking plate firmly towards the body member at a point intermediate between its front and rear edges aforesaid, a longitudinal adjusting vplate seated within the transverse recess to occupy a portion. of the same throughout its length, there being three diagonally extending parallel notches on one face of each spacer block, pins seated in said notches with a pin in the central notch between one pair of blocks and pins in the outermost notches between the nent pair of blocks, etc., the butt ends of certain pins seating against the longitudinal adjusting plate aforesaid, and means in conjunction with the ends of the body member for drawing all of the spacer blocks firmly towards each other, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described comprising in combination a body member having a transverse recess in its bottom face, a

Adownwardly reaching undercut lip on its lower front edge parallel to the recess aforesaid, a downn-'ardly dependingl shoulder on its lower rear edge parallel to therecess aforesaid, a series of trapezoidal spacer blocks havingl their broad edges facing upwards and seat-ed against the lower face of the body member with their outer upper corners registered into the undercut lip aforesaid, a locking plate having its rear edge seated against the downwardly depending shoulder aforesaid and its front edge in engagement with the rear beveled edges of the spacer' blocks, means for drawing the locking plate firmly towards the body member at a point intermediate between its front and rear edges aforesaid, there being three diagonally extending parallel notches on one face of each spacer block, pins seated in said notches with a pin in the central notch between one pair of blocks and pins in the outermost notches between the next pair of blocks, etc., and means in conjunction with the ends of the body member for drawing all of the spacer blocks firmly towards each other.y substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described comprising in combination a body member, a downwardly reaching undercut lip on its lower front edge, a downwardly depending shoulder on its lower rear edge, a series of trapeaoidal spacer' blocks having their broad edges faeing upwards and seated against the lower face of the body member with their outer upper corners registered into the undercuty lip aforesaid, a locking plate having its rear edge seated against the downwardly depending shoulder aforesaid and its frontedge in engagement with the rear beveled edges of the spacer blocks, means for drawing the locking plate rmly towards the body member at a point intermediate between its front and rear edges aforesaid there being three diagonally extending parallel notches on one face of each spacer block, pins seated in said notches with a pin in the central notch between one pair of blocks and pins `in the outermost notches between the next pair of blocks, ete., and means in conjunction with the ends of the body member for drawing all of the spacer blocks firmly towards each other, substantially as described.

Il. A device of the class described comprising in combination a body member, a downwardly reaching undercut lip on its lower front edge, a downwardly depending shoulder on its lower rear edge, a series of trapezoidal spacer blocks having their broad edges facing' upwards and seated against the lower face of the body member with their outer upper corners registered into the undercut lip aforesaid, a locking plate having its rear edge seated against the downwardly depending shoulder aforesaid and its front edge in engagement with the rear beveled edges of the spacer blocks, means for drawing the locking plate firmly towards the body member, there being a diagonally extending notch on one face of each spacer block, pins seated in said notches, and means in conjunction with the ends of the body member for drawing all of the spacer blocks firmly towards each other, substantially as described.

5. A device of the class described comprising in combination a body member, a downwardly reaching undercut lip on its lower front edge, a downwardly depending shoulder on its lower rear edge, a series of trapezoidal spacer' blocks having theiry broad edges facing upwards and seated against the lower face of the body member with their outer upper corners registered into the undercut lip aforesaid, a locking plate having its rear edge seated against the downwardly depending shoulder aforesaid and its front edge in engagement with the rear beveled edges of the spacer blocks, means for drawing` the locking plate firmly towards the body member, pins between the spacer blocks, and means in conjunction with the CIO Si I3 i oe lltl

ends of the body member for drawing all of the spacer bloc-lis liimly towards each other, substantially as described.

G. A device ol the class described comprising in combination a body member, a downwardly reaching undercut lip on its lower front edge, a downwardly depending shoulder on its lower rear edge, a series of.

trapezoidal spacer blocks having their broad edges facing upwards and seated against the lower face of the body ineii'ibei'avitli their outer upper corners registered into the undercut lip aforesaid, a locking plate having its rear edge seated against the downwardly depending shoulder aforesaid and its front edge in engagement with the rear beveled edges of the spacer blocks, means for drawing the locking plate lirinly towards the body member, pins between the spacer blocks, and means for drawing all or' the spacer blocks firmly towards each other, substantially Las described.

T. A device of the class described compris ing in combination a body member, downwardly reaching members on its loweil front and rear edges, aI series of spacer blocks seated between said members and against the bottoni face of the body member, means in conjunction with said members and spacei blocks for holding the spacer blocljs in lirm engagement with the body member, pins between the spacer blocks, and means for clamping all of the spacer blocks lirmly to-.

wards each other, substantially as described.

8. A device of the class described compris ing in combination a body member, a plurality of parallel spacer bloclis seated against its bottom iace, means in conjunction with the body member for sustaining the spacer blocks in lii'in engagement with said bottoni face, pins between the spacci' blocks, and means for drawing the spacer blocks rigidly together to clamp the pins in place, substantially as described.

VVINGATE S. THOMAS. 

